
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 18, 1995                   TAG: 9507180032
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DAVID BUTLER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WHEN IT COMES TO HOME SECURITY, 2 PATHS ARE ALWAYS BETTER THAN 1

Q: My home is protected by a professionally monitored security system with all the bells and whistles. However, a burglar could easily defeat my system by simply cutting the phone line. I tried unsuccessfully to get the phone company to move their interface box to my basement. What other options do I have for protecting my phone line?

A: Even the most sophisticated security system cannot summon emergency assistance if the burglar cuts the phone line. In fact, the weakest link in most monitored security systems is their sole reliance on the telephone network. Two thin strands of copper are all that connect the alarm panel to the security monitoring center.

Besides having your telephone line cut, other perils such as lightning, wind or a careless construction crew can compromise your lifeline to help. Dial-tone latency (when the dial tone is temporarily unavailable) can also prevent an outgoing call. And there's the possibility that a serious house fire might sever your phone line before the alarm system has time to contact the monitoring center.

Nonetheless, the wired telephone network remains the fastest, most reliable and least expensive method for transmitting alarm signals. But when the safety of your family and home is at risk, some type of fallback would be prudent. Two strategies are commonly practiced in the commercial security industry: phone line supervision and redundant communication.

Jewelry stores and other high-risk businesses often rely on supervised phone lines. If the monitored line is cut or otherwise interrupted, equipment at the phone company instantly notifies the security monitoring center. This approach demands immediate action to determine the cause of the problem - hardly practical for a residential system.

The best fallback strategy for home security is redundancy - using either cellular or long-range radio. A wireless backup system will automatically take over if the wired phone line goes down. This virtually guarantees that your security system will be able to get through to your monitoring center during an emergency.

Most wireless backup systems are self monitoring. If trouble develops in the wireless link, an appropriate message is transmitted over the telephone line. Likewise, if the wired phone service fails, the wireless system will report the problem and become the primary communications link.

Although cellular and long-range radio have important technical differences, local cost or availability is often the decisive issue. In general, cellular costs more than long-range radio. However, equipment prices are dropping. Moreover, a growing number of cellular carriers now offer special rates for security monitoring (low monthly fee, very high airtime charges).

In order to use long-range radio, a monitoring center must offer this service in your area. At least two companies are deploying nationwide networks that will soon bring long-range radio to most cities. As with cellular, there's an extra monthly charge for radio backup service. Before canceling an existing monitoring contract, make sure you understand any penalties that may apply.

Unlike long-range radio, cellular backup doesn't require any special equipment at the monitoring center. However, your home must be within range of at least one cellular tower. The unit itself contains a cellular transceiver along with special circuitry to support artificial dialtone and auto switchover. Most models allow you to connect a regular telephone for emergency voice service.

To receive a list of companies that manufacture cellular and long-range radio security backup systems, send $1.50 (please don't send cash) and a self-addressed envelope to David Butler F-521, Department TWN, 14713 Pleasant Hill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28278-7927. The list includes toll-free phone numbers and a summary of each company's products.

TechTalk: Most professionally monitored security systems rely on a digital communicator. When the panel detects an alarm condition, the communicator dials the monitoring center and establishes a digital link (similar to the way computers communicate via modem). The communicator then transmits a detailed alarm report, using one of several widely accepted data formats.

by CNB